Finally, our wooden Gladius is back! This is the strong Hickory sparring version, not to be confused with the beautiful Awards Rudis.

There is ample evidence throughout history of fighers using a wooden sword for training. This prevented damage to more expensive steel or bronze swords. In Roman times there are descriptions of the soldiers training against each other or against pells.

The design is based on a weapon in the Met Museum. It was a short chopping sword, likely not used much for blade-on-blade contact, but instead mostly against flesh. The short length makes up for the forward balance, so it can be used similarly to that of a long dagger.

This design came from a weapon out of King Tuts tomb originally out of brass. It was a short chopping sword, likely not used much for blade on blade contact, but only against flesh. The short length makes up for the forward balance so it can be used similar to that of a long dagger.